8 Brightening Cleansers That Will Give You a Radiant Glow

by Joyce Cheo

LIFESTYLE | 26 February 2019

These brightening facial cleansers will make your skin look smooth, even and glowy.

Photo: liza5450 /123rf.com

There are several factors affecting why our complexion becomes dull and gets pigmentation. From overexposure to UV, lack of sleep or plain ol’ hormonal fluctuations, the list goes on (and on). However, there are many ways we can combat these problems, including melanin-targeting serums, skin-renewing peels and the most basic of all, cleansing thoroughly.

Cleansing is one of the most basic things you can do for your skin — along with applying sunscreen and moisturiser. And even though it’s just two minutes in the bathroom, twice a day, its benefits are far-reaching. Beyond removing makeup from your skin, cleansers also get rid of dirt, sebum and dead skin cells which, if left to accumulate, can cause skin to look dull and feel rough. Moreover, if your cleanser has anti-inflammation properties, it can also soothe skin irritation which, if untreated, can cause your body to respond by producing melanin haphazardly as a defence mechanism. Here, the best cleansers to add to the rotation for a clear and unified skin tone:

Shu Uemura’s iconic cleansing oil formula is now enriched with Japanese Binchotan and bilberries to dissolve dead skin cells and draw out impurities lodged deep within pores for a clarified and refined complexion. It is also infused with tea ferment for added brightening properties.

Made with water-activated Vitamin C and fruit-derived enzymes, this cleanser goes to work the minute it’s applied on damp skin. Instantly, dead skin cells are eliminated while unevenness and dark spots are reduced over time. You can also use this as a mask to neutralise redness and calm inflammation for a unified skin tone.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, $27 for 177ml

Photo: Mario Badescu

Formulated with glycolic acid, this potent yet gentle foaming cleanser sweeps away dead skin cells and gradually refines pores and retexturises skin for a smoother, more radiant appearance. It is also fortified with a blend of soothing botanicals like camomile and sage to rebalance and hydrate skin. It can also be used as a body wash to help those with body acne.

Caolion Magic Black Powder Sparkling Wash Powder, $45 for 50g

Photo: Caolion

When mixed with water, this cleansing powder forms a rich lather that penetrates into pores to get rid of excess sebum, dead skin cells, as well as traces of dust and pollution. It also contains malic acid, a type of AHA, which refines skin texture and improves skin’s ability to retain moisture so your skin feels squeaky clean but never dry or tight.

DrGL Cleanser Lightening Plus, $198 for 240ml

Photo: DrGL

Potent enough to combat pigmentation on the body yet gentle enough for the face, this top-to-toe cleanser utilises a powerful formula to even out skin tone. Comprising of lactic acid and licorice root extract, it speed ups cellular turnover and inhibits the production of excess melanin. Plus, it also contains hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture so skin is smoother, softer and more even toned.

Erno Laszlo White Marble Treatment Bar, $62 for 100g

Photo: Erno Laszlo

With a three-pronged action, this foaming cleansing bar works by gently exfoliating dull skin, fighting excess melanin production and protecting skin against further damage. A patented fruit acid complex thoroughly cleanses while gradually sloughing off dead skin cells that have accumulated on skin surface; a unique nano-encapsulated LumiWhite complex effectively penetrates skin to combat melanin production right at the source while shea butter infuses skin with moisture and nutrients. With each cleanse, expect skin to look more and more luminous over time.

Lixirskin Electrogel Cleanser, about $42 for 100ml, at Net-A-Porter

Photo: Lixirskin

Specially developed to target dull skin caused by pollution, this cleanser has a slight negative charge to attract positively charged particles of dirt, toxins and free radicals to draw out these impurities that asphyxiates a healthy complexion. You can also apply a thin layer over cleansed, dry skin and use it as a detoxifying mask for deeply purified skin.

Innisfree White Pore Facial Cleanser, $20 for 150ml

Photo: Innisfree

Formulated with Jeju tangerine peel extract, this facial cleanser infuses skin with citrus flavonoids to combat irregular skin tone. In addition, it also has orange capsules to gently exfoliate and lift dead skin cells and white clay to absorb excess sebum and purify pores for a clear and radiant complexion.